Physical education is a planned, sequential Pre-K-12 curriculum program that follows national standards in providing developmentally appropriate, cognitive content and learning experiences in a variety of physical activity areas such as basic movement skills; physical fitness; rhythm and dance; cooperative games; team, dual, and individual sports; tumbling and gymnastics; and aquatics. Quality physical education promotes, through a variety of planned individual and cooperative physical activities and fitness assessments, each student's optimum physical, mental, emotional and social development; and provides fitness activities and sports that all students, including students with special needs, can enjoy and pursue throughout their lives. Qualified professionals such as physical education teachers and physical activity specialists provide physical education and related fitness activities.

There has been a lot of discussion and television reporting on the topic of concussions and its possible long-term affects. To help ensure the health and safety of young athletes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports initiative to offer information about concussions to coaches, administrators, parents and athletes involved in youth sports. The Heads Up initiative provides important information on preventing, recognizing and responding to a concussion. The CDC has produced:

• Fact sheets for coaches

• Fact sheets for athletes

• Fact sheets for parents

• A clipboard with concussion facts for coaches & parents

• A poster with concussion facts for coaches & sports administrators

• A quiz for coaches, athletes & parents

Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports is a free online course available to coaches, administrators, parents and others helping to keep athletes safe from concussion. It features interviews with leading experts, dynamic graphics and interactive exercises, and compelling storytelling to help you recognize a concussion and know how to respond if you think that your athlete might have one. One can be prepared in less than 30 minutes by simply going online and taking the self-guided training.
For more information go to: www.cdc.gov/Concussion